Puppetry

Puppetry is believed to be an extremely old art form. Many believe and consider it to be the oldest art form, or form of theatre, in history. The earliest date that has been recognized as being related to puppetry is about 2000 BC, in Egypt. However, nobody is positive. The oldest record of puppetry that has been written dates to 422 BC in the written records of Xenophon.

After that, puppetry shows up all over the world in history, in endless different forms. There came forms like stringed puppets, shadow puppets, hand puppets, rod puppets, walk-about puppets, and several others.

                                                                            

(this picture show a group of puppeteers working with rod puppets.)

In modern days, puppetry is seen quite often. Most often, it is common in children's shows. Big examples of this are Sesame Street, and Lamb Chop's Play Along. Television shows such as these have formed a view of puppets in modern society that causes people to have the idea that puppets are primarily for children's programs. Although that statement may be accurate, seeing as there are many children's television programs these days that use puppets for entertainment, there are other examples of very un child-like performances that are making themselves famous. A great example of this is the broadway play War Horse. This play has a theme that is very serious and somber, and may be thought to be unsuitable for children. The extent of the rod puppets used in this particular performance is encredible.

(This image shows a climactic scene from the production War Horse.)

Even today, puppetry, even though it is not as popular as it once was, it a very interesting form of theatre, and seems to grasp interest and attention wherever it shows up. Puppetry is  a great and inspiring art form.

(This video shows a massive marionette puppet in Berlin, Germany, being held up by a crane.)

Mimes...

In the English dictionary, the word Mime is "the art or technique of portraying a character, mood, idea, or narration by gestures and bodily movements". The art of Mime dates back to the fourth century B.C, in ancient Greece, where it was performed on a stage wearing a mask. 

                                      (Picture depicting early forms of Mime in ancient Greece.)

Mime was a very popular form of entertainment, and utilized both drama and comedy. This popular art form soon spread and gained popularity around Rome as well.

In the sixteenth century, mime grew to a new level. Forms of Mime were taken to Italy, and spawned in new genres of art, such as Commedia dell' Arte. Commedia dell' Arte involved all kinds of emotion, and was popular among the poor, because it often characterized the lower class as the hero.

As time went on, Mime continued to develop, specifically, in the 1800's. Men such as Jacques Copeau, Etienne Decroux, and Jean-Louis Barrault helped such development. At this time, Mime began to take on many of the stereotypes that it is known for today. Well known conventions such white face paint, black and white striped shirts, and white gloves developed when a pivotal artist of mime named  Marcel Marceau came on the scene. 

                                            

                                                    

                  ( A picture of a typical contemporary mime, with many well-known conventions.)

 Marceau was a student of Etienne Decroux. He had a very popular charachter named "Bip", who became the famous stereotype of what a Mime is.

Today, Mime is still considered a popular art form. Many places that you go, you will see street performers using different variations of Mime. Many television shows that you watch, you might see some form of slapstick humor that derived from early forms of Mime.

Mime is truly a fantastic form of dramatic art.

(This video shows a very skilled mime performing some well-known mime actions.)